Anthony Bourdain Says Plant Foods Help End World Hunger

The chef is critical of the Impossible Burger—which he has not sampled—but understands the world-changing effects of replacing animal foods with plant-based protein.

In a recent interview with media outlet Eater, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain explained the importance of plant-based foods in feeding a growing world population. Bourdain, a widely known critic of the vegan lifestyle, discussed his position on the Impossible Burger—which he has yet to sample—stating that he is doubtful that the plant-based patty will replace the “musculature” and “funk” of animal meat before revealing that he understands the broader significance of the global plant-based industry. “Look, there are a lot of hungry people in the world,” Bourdain said. “I guess if it is a means of providing must-needed protein to people who need protein to live, I guess I’m all for it.” Fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who has publicly mocked vegans for more than a decade, announced last week that he was “going to give this vegan thing a try” and debuted a plant-based pizza at his new London-based restaurant Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza.